These two kitchen gadgets are actually designed to do the same thing and they help make something special. Do you know what it is?

By Laura Kurella

Feb. 27, 2013
12:58 p.m.

QUIP: Not too long ago, I was at a rummage sale when a woman approached me and asked, “Can you tell me what these cute-looking wooden things are?”

Looking in her hands, I recognized the two items instantly -only because I own them.

“What you have there,” I said, offering a smile, “are two different tools designed to do the exact same thing.”

“Really?” she replied with surprise. “Well, how about that.” she sighed as she studied them - side-by-side.

“Okay, you got me. What is it that these two completely different looking wooden things are bothso able to do?”

TIP: What the woman had in her hands were two different designs of old-fashioned gnocchi boards.

Gnocchi is a traditional Italian pasta type of probable Middle Eastern origin and a gnocchi board or paddle, which she had both of, is used form the grooves on the gnocchi dumplings.

These grooves are super important because they help sauce adhere to the surface of the pasta.

Classic gnocchi is very easy to make, especially if you have one of these tools. Most recipes call for simply combining cooked, mashed potato with flour, egg and salt. Other recipes omit the potato and use ricotta or other cheeses in its place, which is entirely up to you.